Thanks to everyones help/advice with choosing products recently.  The postie has been busy today, I've had the arrival of the Photix radio shutter release, the Kata R103 bag, and the OpTech tripod strap.

The Optech strap is great, I like the fact it is quickly removable from the tripod (saves getting it snagged when moving around the tripod) and it is really comfortable.  And the non-slip material works!  It really does stay on your shoulder.

The Photix remote seems to be working fine, it even works between rooms.  I haven't tested the 100m range yet but have no reason to doubt it will work over a range close to this.  It also acts as a wired shutter release - the receiver that attaches to the camera has a button on it that allows you to use it in this way.  It's small as well, I expected it to be larger.

Now to the bag.  When it arrived I must say it looked huge.  But actually when on your back it is quite a slim profile and no bigger than my gf bag that she uses for uni.  It's the harness system that adds to its size when not in use, but it's that same system that makes it really comfortable.

 

It comes with a padded/strechy camera strap that has quick release buckles that allow you to remove the strap and attach the camera to the D-rings of the rucksack straps.  Cool for carrying, taking the weight of your neck. 

It also comes with a rain cover and net bag to hang it out to dry.  Two small drawstring bags for loose accessories - but here's the well thought out bit - they have velcro so they stick to the inside of the bag.   The quick access panel is a good idea, you can get at your camera without opening the whole bag so no risk of things dropping out, no need to lay the bag on the ground, and you're not showing passers by just what or how much other gear you have with you. 

Speaking of security, whilst the zips don't actually lock together like a suitcase, they would take a thin padlock suitable for prying fingers when the bag is close by, but not really secure enough to leave unattended (not that I would with so much kit in it anyway).  The zips are also well covered and stiff enough that I'm sure I'd feel someone trying to undo then whilst wearing it.

It also comes with a tripod holder which allows you to attach a tripod to the back or side (see pic above) of the bag.  Attached to the back you don't get access to the quick access part of the bag, but in fairness when out with the tripod I'm unlikely to want to use this feature.  Either position feels ok, but this central position feels the most balanced for longer walks.

There is enough room for my kit and accessories.  In the lid, behind the yellow material there are two pockets for leads, charger, remote etc, and on the quick access pannel there is an internal pocket for memory cards and batteries.  There are two small pockets on the outside of the bag (behind the black sections that look like wings) that I wouldn't trust for valuable items as they are quite easily accessed, but fine for lens cloth, blower brush, a small note book etc. 

But wait!  Where do my flask, sandwiches and raincoat go?  What's this?  Another pocket?  Yes, there's a laptop section against the back of the rucksack that I had forgotten about.  This fits my 15" HP in with ease (and room for charger, modem etc), or alternatively I've tried my jacket, sandwiches and flask, and even a guide book  Nice one! 

The build of the bag seems fantastic, the zips are quite stiff but I'm assured that these will become smoother with use.  And it comes with a 5 year warranty, more than any other bag I've owned.

I wouldn't want this bag if I was a reporter as access isn't that quick, and on it's own I don't think that it would be big enough for a D3 with 400mm lens + other lenses and extras that a wildlife photographer might need.  But it is a good size for taking my current kit anywhere and there is so much padding that I'm happy for it to be sliding about in the van!  The fact I can carry the camera on my front gives me a quick shoot mode, and the tripod holder does seem really useable.  There are a lot of accessories in the range and so I can add to it in the future - there's a huge hip bag that attaches to the bottom which would cover a days hiking if needed.

And the best thing?  I think it looks cool Stephanie says I look like a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle!

I'm looking forward to using the bag for a few weeks and getting used to it. I'm sure I'll change the layout and where my kit goes with time and it will become even better.  But so far, out of the box and an hour spent messing with it at home, it look like I've made the right choice.  It is well thought out, well made and very comfortable.

Now I'm just waiting for the SB-600 and that's my lot.  Until after my next job anyway...

I hope this helps others looking for similar kit

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Looks very nice Martin but I don't see any waist support strap - isn't there one??

Hi Alan, yes there are sternum and waist straps.  Both are removable.  The wait strap is just that though, a strap.  It is not a hip support but this bag isn't big enough to need one I don't think (maximum load would probably be 8kg I guess).

When I'm carrying it in town etc I wouldn't use them so I took them off to save them getting in my way.  When loaded with gear and out for a days walking I probably would fit them, especially if the tripod was hung on the back, just for extra stability.  It's very comfortable even with my camera, lenses laptop and everything else in. 

Oh, and it is hand luggage size which is good.

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Thanks for the info Martin.......and hand luggage size even better although looking at the posted pics it looks Jumbo.

Hand luggage size! Makes me laugh - I went to Dublin yesterday for work - and on the way back there was someone getting on a plane to Paris - I recon his sleeping bag would struggle to get in the Ryaniar box - let alone the rucksack he was carrying!

And Aerlingus have put up their price for hold luggage - £12 a bag going out - 18Eu coming back! Joke! (And also very off topic - sorry!)

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Mark

Digital Photo Group
My Website

Ne nuntium necare

I uess hand luggage size varies from carrier to carrier, obviously worth checking.  But the size of some of the stuff I've seen taken on as hand luggage beggers belief!

Anyway, and update for those that are interested...

I used the bag for a day in York last weekend and was happy with it.  It is quite slim fitting and I didn't once hit anybody with it.  Also the easy access section, whilst not a quick access section, is good for getting to the camera without exposing the rest of your kit.  We fitted a fleece and couple of waterproof jackets in the laptop space with a squeeze.  It was quite comfortable all day with a lot of weight in it, although I did use it without the sternum or waist straps which I have since learned make it even more comfotable.  I found having the camera attached to the front of the rucksack was okay, it took the weight off you neck for sure, but it did bounce about a bit, no more so than wearing the camera around your neck though but I never do that anyway.  I usually carry it over my shoulder.

I also used the bag for a day out on Friday.  We took a walk up to Cow Green reservoir.  It was a warm day and there was some clambering to be done.  I fitted the sternum and waist strap for this day.  The sternum strap really does need to be fitted to the bag as it makes it feel much lighter.  That might just be my size though, someone with broader shoudlers might not need it.  The bag performed brilliantly.  It was very comfortable and didn't move around at all when scrambling over rocks.  I hardly noticed that I was wearing it (the sign of a good bag).  The back system is as good as any that I have ever used, and better than most, at keeping you cool.  Again, the easy access part proved very good, allowing you to get at the camera but not loose any of your other kit/expose it to the elements. 

And the bag is very well protected so I had no worries about laying on it whilst stalking grouse

Again, hope this helps anyone searching the threads for a similar bag. 

Martin.

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any chance of getting a measurement from lens fitting on camera body to end of central section in bag please i need abour 295mm-95mm wide..like the look of this bag

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http://stephengrimesimages.photostockplus.com/

Scientists have created a camera with a shutter speed so fast, they can now photograph a woman with her mouth shut..

The total length of the central section is 305mm, so that would have to be from the back of your camera to the end of the lens, the 95mm wide isn't a problem.

You could actually move the central divider up slightly, as the thick padding at the bottom (where my camera body is sat against) is seperate from the divider, which is all velcro and can be adjusted.  This might suit your needs.  Or you could cut the top of the divider out so you have the full length of the inside of the bag (about 350mm). 

Hope this helps, if not take a look at the rest of teh Kata range.  I can assure you of one thing, you won't be disapppointed with the build and quality of the materials. 

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thanks think that 's the bag for me then....

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http://stephengrimesimages.photostockplus.com/

Scientists have created a camera with a shutter speed so fast, they can now photograph a woman with her mouth shut..

Cool, glad this thread has been helpful

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Just updating this as it seems to be helping a few people searching for a bag.

I used it recently on a trip to Scotland.  It spent most the week getting rather wet.  I used it with the cover and it stayed perfectly dry (as expected) and on several occassions I used it without the cover and my kit stayed dry also.  During quick, heavy downpours, or light showers, where the bag will get chance to dry, I'd happily use it without the cover.  For prolonged rain (ie all day) I'd use the cover just to be sure.

Also, I wore it for several days walking and scrambles up a couple of Munros (1000m high hills) and had no problems with the bag at all.  Comfortable, stable, and protected my kit during several slips where I landed on my back. 

A trip into the city proved its worth also, despite it's visual appearance in the pics it isn't very big and I haven't once hit anyone with it yet, even in crowded pubs and markets.  It's quite slim to the body.

I'm going to add a bungee cord to the quick access pannel.  There are loops here already so it's just a case of threading the cord through and adding a toggle.  This will give me somewhere to hang a wet brolly or wet coat to dry, then the bag is about as good as it gets in my opinion.

Again, hope this helps someone who is struggling to find this type of bag. 

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